IGP Institute Continues Mission Through the Pandemic The IGP Institute has continued its mission to provide education and outreach to the worldwide grain industry despite the facility shutdown necessitated by the public healthcare response to COVID-19.

IGP course managers have worked with our industry partners to adjust existing schedules and plan upcoming courses during the time away from the office. Currently, we are planning to reopen for classes, while making the necessary changes to meet university and public healthcare guidelines, beginning in August. This timeline could still be altered in the event of a surge in infection rates, or changes declared by the university.

Adapting to Changes The national shutdown has caused additional issues with scheduling and refunds for courses which were canceled or moved. Cassidy Haines, Distance Education and IGP Registration Coordinator commented, “With the rescheduling of all on-site courses taking place before fall semester starts, it has been a busy time for registration. I’ve been informing participants of new dates for courses, new hotel information, and answering any questions or concerns they may have. Many companies are

unsure what travel will look like in the upcoming year, so we have been issuing full refunds to individuals who are not able to attend the courses.”

Carlos Campabadal, Shawn Thiele, and Guy Allen have held multiple meetings by phone and video conferences with partner organizations including WISHH, USSEC, Kansas Department of Agriculture, GEAPS, IAOM, US Wheat, and USGC to reschedule courses affected by the shutdown, explore alternative delivery methods using technology, and plan future events.

STAKEHOLDERNEWS

Upcoming in June

GEAPS 530: Quality Management

Systems for Bulk Materials Handling

Operations

GEAPS 545: Grain Entrapment: Causes, Prevention

and Rescue

GEAPS 555: Advanced and

Preventive Maintenance for Grain Facilities:

Conveyance Equipment

GEAPS 600: Overview of Milling

Principles

IGP 700 On Demand: Fundamentals of Animal Nutrition

0On-site

99Distance

May Participant Numbers

May 2020

The IGP Institute has continued its education and outreach efforts using technology to share knowledge through distance courses, and participate in meetings with our industry partners to organize upcoming events as travel restrictions are eased.

Note: Due to the university shutdown to help prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus, the IGP Institute and the Department of Grain Science and Industry are operating remotely. Please visit our website at https://www.grains.k-state.edu/igp/ for updates and additional course information.

May Trainings and Activities• Met with US Wheat Associates to discuss fall online milling

training programs

• Participated with the Virtual Kansas Wheat Tour — May 18–21

• Worked with KS Wheat Commission on local community flour donations

• Met with WISHH, USSEC and KDA to explore new courses online, either on-demand, live or a combination of both options

• Met with GEAPS, USSEC, WISHH, and USGC to continue working on adapting currently scheduled on-site courses and activities to online delivery

• Online presentation on how to store the U.S. corn crop 2019/2020 in Latin America for USGC to 300 participants in five sessions

• Interviewed by New York University – Shanghai: Research Focus: the Sino-US comparison of B2B, e-commerce in agriculture and how it affects smart farming and smart cities

• Interviewed by High Plains Journal

• Webinar Presentation for US Grains Council International Staff: Disruptions to the Supply Chain — Its Impact on the Grains Markets

• Participated in question and answer session with USGC international staff and regional managers